Zahida Perveen, Madiha Zulfiqar, Aisha Manzoor.
Seropositivity of hepatitis C virus in patients of acute and chronic urticaria.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(4):866-8.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease is associated with numerous dermatologic signs. Urticarial vasculitis and urticaria with mixed cryoglobulinemia are well known associations. Regular urticaria with short -lived wheals may likewise be one of the cutaneous signs of HCV contamination . Aim: To determine the frequency of HCV in patients of acute and chronic urticaria. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology on Outdoor basis at Pak Red Crescent Medical & Dental College/Hospital Dina Nath, Kasur from 01-02-2019 to 31-07-2019. After approval by ethical committee and taking informed consent from 111 pts who fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled Results: Patients ranged between 20 -60 years of age. Mean age of the patients was 38.13±9.84. Out of 111 patients, 34 (30.6%) were males while 77 (69.4%) were females. Mean duration of disease was 4.53±2.54 years. Acute urticaria found in 25 patients (22.5%) and chronic urticaria observed in 86 (77.5%). Anti-HCV antibodies were present in 18 patients (16 .2%). Stratification with regard to age, gender and duration of urticaria was carried out. Conclusion: It is concluded that HCV infection may have caused urticaria in patients. It is prescribe that HCV status should be checked in patients giving urticaria. Further literature are relied upon to set up an association, aetiopathogenic role and cost implications of screening or treatment of HCV in urticaria.

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